Archive for November, 2007

playful architecture

toyoto ito : : sendai mediatheque

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‘The simplicity of elements, what the architect defines as plates (floors), tubes (columns) and skin (facade / exterior walls), allows for a complexity of activity and information systems. The diverse programming creates an intricate spatial rhythm which is defined by varying degrees of public spaces; communal spaces of activity and individual spaces of repose and solitude. ‘ The tubes look like a forest, growing in the flexible transparent cube. An excellent example of a playful yet simple solution for a multi-use space!

Bernard Tsumi- La Villete,Paris

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Even though this is a public space project, I believe it can be very inspiring as to building modules for the school and what those could look like. The idea behind La Villete is a network of what the architect defines as ‘folies’ ( actions of crazyness ) , playful red pavilions that transform the space into a playground!

Two other projects I really like , are

the Miami School of architecture

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and the ECAL School of Arts

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bauhaus

http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/Bauhaus.html/cid_1136145513_3_27.html

schools from finland ::::

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National Summit on School Design (hosted by AAF)

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Design share & Schools for Life

 Excellent source of awarded projects DesignShare, Designing for the Future of Learning are (web) publishers based (i believe) Minneapolis that anually award projects  and also works as a network of educators, designers and architects that work worldwidely to improve educational building standards!!

Also, an excellent organisation/publisher is the UK based SchoolsforLife

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The American Architectural Foundation ( building for education)

The American Architectural Foundation (AAF) and Target are in the process of judging entries in “Redesign Your School—A Contest of Scholarly Proportions.” Open to 9th– through 12th–grade students, this national ideas contest asked students to submit their vision of ideal places to learn in the 21st century. Scholarships up to $10,000 and other prizes will be awarded to winners, eight of whom will also be invited to Washington, D.C., to present their ideas. Winners are scheduled to be announced on or about October 1, 2007.

There is also a series of publications that report annually on school design projects , learn more

learn more about AAF specs + mission here

view the (awesome) target project here

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AIA school building awards 2004-2007

The Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) is a large and active group of architects and allied professionals concerned with the quality and design of all types of educational, cultural, and recreational facilities. Contact : Donnie Kenneth
| cae@aia.org

Since 2004, CAE is annually organizing the ‘Educational Facility Design Awards’ . Learn more about the guidelines here
Here are some of the winners, i picked up listed by year of competition, to find out more or download the specs- go here

2007 Winners

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  • Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Kirkland, Wash.
    Mahlum Architects, Seattle

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  • Blythewood High School, Columbia, S.C.
    Perkins + Will Architects, Chicago

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  • Frederick Douglass – Isaac Myers Maritime Park, Baltimore
    Ziger/Snead LLP Architects, Baltimore
  • Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center, Hyde Park, N.Y.
    RM Kliment and Frances Halsband Architects, New York City
  • Seminar II, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Wash.
    Mahlum Architects, Seattle
  • Sidwell Friends Middle School, Washington, D.C.
    Kieran Timberlake Associates, Philadelphia

2006 Winners

  • Louis and Clark School at Seattle, Northwest Architectural company
  • Mifflin School, Pitsbourg PA, Strada LLC
  • Merit Award The Bay School San Francisco, CA, LeddyMaytumStacy Architects

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  • University Academy Charter High School Princeton, NJ, KSS Architects
  • Centennial HT Science & Technology Centre Ontario, Canada, KuwabaraPayne McKenna Blumberg Architects
  • North Bay Environmental Learning Center Baltimore, MD,Marks, Thomas Architects

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  • Award of Excellence PreparatoriaEcologicade la Universidad de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, BernadoHinojosa, Intl Associate, AIA

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2005 Winners

  • James Stewart Centre for Mathematics McMaster University; Hamilton, Ontario,KuwabaraPayne McKenna Blumberg Architects

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  • Greenwich Academy Upper School Greenwich, Connecticut Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LL
  • Carver Academy and Community Center San Antonio, Texas Lake / FlatoArchitects, Inc, The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising / FIDM Los Angeles, California

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  • Clive Wilkinson Architects, Warren SkaarenEnvironmental Learning Center at Westcave Preserve Dripping Springs,Texas
  • Robert Jackson & Michael McElhaney Architects, Francis Parker School San Diego, California Lake / FlatoArchitects, Inc.
  • Islandwood Bainbridge Island, Washington, Mithun+ Architects + Designers + Planners
  • Horace Mann Elementary School San Jose, California, Moore Ruble YudellArchitects & Planners
  • Joseph A. Steger Student Life Center University of Cincinnati; Cincinnati, Ohio, Moore Ruble YudellArchitects & Planners
  • P.S. 106 Library, Rockwell Group

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2004 Winners

  • Diamond Ranch High School, Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. learn more here
  • Hostetter Center for the Arts at the Pingry School, find out more here

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School Building expo

The 2008 expo has already passed, but perhaps we can catch up with the 2009 one :)

The School building expo features over 170 booths of everything needed to create both the building envelope and the unique interior needs of schools and universities. From walls and floors to security and comfort systems, School Building Expo is the one place to see everything it takes to build a successful school facility.

There is also a conference held :

‘a world-class program offering practical learning, the chance to exchange best practices, and up to 16 AIA-approved  CEU learning units for architects to meet continuing education requirements. We feature leading architects and school speakers, keynotes, workshops, and school tours. The focus is on practical, how-to information you can use on the projects you’re working on now’

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Council of Educational Facility Planners International

The CEFPI Foundation & Charitable Trust is a non-profit organization established to generate funds to foster research and scholarly study regarding the impact of school facilities on student achievement and the communities they serve. The CEFPI Foundation endeavors to add to and improve the body of knowledge relating to learning environments and best practices of education facility planning.

CEFPI also, organises an annual School Building Week : ‘ school districts in every community may engage in activities and celebrations that channel students, parents legislators and other affected constituencies to consider the role the school building plays in the educational process’ Among the activities of the School Week, is a student design competition, inviting students to design their own school! learn more

CEFPI are located in Arizona state but engage in nation wide and international projects. Partners include: US department of energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 21st Century School Fund, American Architectural Foundation, AIA the American Institute of Architects and more. learn more

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fit in walls

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mandarina duck store in amsterdam-

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imaginary classrooms- by cup and others

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The nomadic classroom

What can a classroom be?
CUP Teaching Artist Michael Cataldi worked with students at the Academy of Urban Planning (AUP) in Brooklyn to re-imagine the classroom as a mobile, nomadic space, capable of sustaining their class activities indoors or out. On the way, they looked into the nature of temporary places, adaptive re-use, and the fundamental requirements of a learning space.
Over five days in the spring semester of 2006, the students constructed components of a classroom that could be assembled, disassembled, and re-assembled to “house” the students anywhere they wanted to go. The furniture was made entirely of salvaged materials, manipulated with basic tools, and attached with simple mechanical connections.
Rules governing the creation of the Nomadic Classroom (made to be warped, bent, or broken):
1. Nothing may be used as it was intended.
2. Everything must be collapsible and/or capable of being carried.
3. Must assemble or disassemble in 10 minutes or less.
After five days of construction, the classroom held its first round of classes, taught by AUP’s Andrew Drozd, on metaphor, simile, and the basics of being a mammal.

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space- modules

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Sempre Aouyama

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tomato-

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